Project News
Projects which inspire others to build their own aircraft Compiled by Mike Slaughter
Project News W hile the human cost and our collective wellbeing is far more important than mere aircraft in these troubled times, those that are quarantined at home with projects to hand do have something of a silver lining, while those unable to get to their aircraft must really be feeling the frustration. The crisis certainly seems to have impacted New Projects registrations with just two listed, whilst a solitary RV-14 – the first of the type to be completed in the UK and featured in a Projects News Special (starts on page 20) – is the only build Cleared to Fly this month, and its first flight is, of course, also on hold for the duration. If you thought that incarceration was going to give you the opportunity to progress that project you have been involved in for decades and were feeling a little sensitive about the time it’s taking, then excuse yourself from self-admonishment – Jim Copeman’s restoration has been 80 years in progress! Of course, he and Tony Palmer are just the latest custodians of the project and, until recent events, had hoped to pass the finish post this coming season. But you could say, to use a word that has recently seen a surge in the vernacular, that the project may have to
be somewhat furloughed in the final furlong. Their aircraft, just 14 years from receiving its royal birthday card, is a British Klemm L25c Swallow and Jim’s account provides a fascinating overview of its history with people, places and manufacturers from a bygone era, familiar now to just a few. Why not take some time, during this period of restricted activity, to research some of our aviation heritage mentioned in his story? As a Londoner, I grew up with Heathrow Airport, but what became of Hendon, Heston and Hanworth Air Park? What is the story behind the Pobjoy engine, and are there many still flying? The sales flyer for Jim and Tony’s Swallow proclaims, ‘Will not spin’, ‘Will not stall’, ‘Running cost less than one penny per mile’ and all for a purchase price of £695. I’ll take two please. And you might also think about telling Project News what’s happening with your project. It doesn’t have to be flying or anywhere near finished. Get in touch and tell your story, report a milestone or just send a picture, email: projectnews@laa-archive.org.uk. Please share your story, we all have time now and really want to read it!
G-ACXE (PFA 846-13177) British Klemm L25c ‘Swallow’ (s/n 21) By Jim Copeman
T
his project has basically been awaiting completion since 1939. The aircraft was originally built in 1934 and was stored in premises in Birmingham from the outbreak of the war. Despite various efforts and ownership changes, it hasn't flown since but hopefully we are not too far from seeing that change.
The British Klemm
In the late 1920s, when Hans Klemm of Stuttgart designed the Klemm L25, it became very popular not just in Germany but also in the UK. As a result of this popularity, a Major Stephen and others formed the ‘British Klemm Co’ (BK) to build a slightly modified L25
under licence in this country. This was the British Klemm L25c Swallow. They managed to build 28 aircraft by April 1935, then due to disagreements with Herr Klemm over more modifications, the licence ended. As a result, the company changed its name to ‘British Aircraft Co’ (BA) and the yet further modified BA L25c Swallow 2 was born. Of the 28 original aircraft built, G-ACXE is the sole known surviving British Klemm L25c. She was built as construction No. 21 in the British Klemm works at Hanworth, Middlesex and was first registered in October 1934. Starting life on the books of the Aberdeen Flying School, having been bought from new by the school’s proprietor, Eric Gander-Dower, she remained in
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